Jose Downgraded to Tropical Storm: NHC

Hurricane Jose, a pale followup to Category 5 Irma, could churn up North Carolina's coast with tropical-force winds and risky surf by this weekend, forecasters said.

USA Today said on Thursday the storm was likely to shift northward, edging the Mid-Atlantic as it tracked up the coast.

Jose was the fourth threatening hurricane to form over the Atlantic in the past few weeks. Some restrengthening should begin on Friday, and Jose is predicted to become a Category 1 hurricane again by the weekend.

The swells generated by Jose are affecting Bermuda, the Bahamas, the northern coasts of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico and the US Southeast coast.

According to the NHC 11 a.m. report on Wednesday, Jose is moving toward the southeast at 7 miles per hour, but it is expected to make a slow clockwise loop during the next couple of days and moving west-northwestward by late Thursday. Higher surf and swells are possible along the east coast, but not many other direct effects are expected.

"While it is too early for details at this point, the model guidance is generally west of the previous forecast", the center said in its advisory.

The forecast after that is less certain, with some models suggesting the storm will loop toward the north and northeast and other models having it move west toward the Bahamas.

As people in Florida, the Caribbean and the South cope with the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, another hurricane is spinning in the Atlantic, and forecasters aren't certain if it will impact the U.S.

Because this time of year is considered the peak of hurricane season, pay attention to the forecast: it's worth staying aware and prepared.